Rep. Miller testifies on bipartisan bill to increase military representation in Ohio counties

State Reps. Adam Miller (D-Columbus) and Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) this week gave sponsor testimony before the House Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security Committee in support of House Bill 192, bipartisan legislation to increase military representation across the state by allowing Veterans Services Commission’s in Ohio counties to add up to two additional members.

“Our goal in introducing the legislation is to ensure that all veterans and military families have the opportunity to make their voices heard through their County Veterans Service Commission,” said Anielski. “With the additional two members added to the board, more experiences and needs can be shared with the commissions to facilitate additional ideas and solutions.”

The bill would permit County Veterans Service Commissions the option to add two seats to their boards. These seats would be reserved for a veteran from Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi freedom, or any supporting operations tied to those conflicts as well as one board seat for any military spouse. If a County Veterans Service Commission decided to add the two seats, a judge would appoint a member to serve a two-year term beginning in January of 2018 and ending in January of 2020.

“The military spouse is the service member’s secret weapon. The military spouse provides the resiliency, the support, and all of the unspoken understanding so critical for those called to serve in harm’s way. Our Veteran’s Services capacity will expand tenfold with the addition of a military spouse in our commissions,” said Miller.

HB 192 now awaits additional hearings in the House Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security Committee